In high school and elementary college physics labs the measurement of vertical distance is often required. Measuring the distance an object falls or the vertical displacement of springs in a Hooke’s law experiment are commonplace. Determining these distances to perhaps a millimeter or two of precision is difficult without an expensive height gauge or a “jaw” attached to a meterstick. Figure 1 shows a new meterstick caliper jaw in use measuring spring elongation. This article presents an easy self-made replacement of the author’s design fabricated on a 3D printer. The printer files are available free as described.

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